Sorry to break it to you: Atlanta Falcons aren’t a computer simulator

The Atlanta Falcons hold the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and, for some reason, many analysts believe they’re just going to give it away without a king’s ransom in return.

Pro Football Focus just published its latest mock draft and highlighted the draft with a trade between the Falcons and the New England Patriots.

In the trade, the Atlanta Falcons received the No. 15 overall pick from the Pats, a future 2022 first-round pick, the No. 46 overall pick and a future 2022 third-round pick.

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1386679434904842240?s=20

The Atlanta Falcons aren’t a computer simulator made to bend to your will

Have you ever played franchise mode on Madden when you can force trades? It’s pretty fun and it allows the user to net a ton of talented players and draft picks by simply forcing another franchise to do what they want them to do.

Unfortunately for everyone outside of Atlanta, the Falcons aren’t a computer simulator.

We’ve seen several trade suggestions that make it look like a ‘done deal’ if this team were to offer ‘this much.’

But, looking at that trade scenario listed above, I ask this: Why would the Falcons agree to it?

Why would the Falcons agree to drop 11 spots and gift the Patriots their assumed ‘franchise quarterback’ with only one netted first-round pick? Who cares about the extra third-round pick in next year’s draft? It simply doesn’t make sense.

If the Falcons are going to trade to the middle of the first-round, there needs to be at least a net gain of two Round 1 picks. That should be the conversation starter.

Franchise quarterbacks don’t just come around every day and if the Patriots are truly sold on Justin Fields– or whatever QB falls to that No. 4 spot- three first-round picks need to be the minimum to come sit at the table.

If the Falcons were going to give away their top-five pick to pick at No. 15, then they need to gain two first-rounders and they need the Patriots’ second-round pick this year. That should be the minimum.

The Falcons hold the leverage in this situation and they need to do everything in their power to get the most out of their pick if they’re going to trade.

Sorry, Pats fans- and other fan bases dreaming of trading up- you need to approach the table understanding this isn’t your video game on franchise mode. This is the NFL where top-five picks for quarterbacks are at a premium.